How long does azelaic acid last?
Azelaic acid, we’ve already discussed this unsung hero here on Beauty Insiders. It’s undeniably a favorite among skin experts and dermatologists. You’ll also notice that their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, with many serums containing this powerful ingredient already incorporated into our daily skincare routines.
This acid is a natural compound found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. It’s often used in products that help treat acne and rosacea. This is unusual because most anti-acne ingredients are too harsh for people with rosacea and other similar skin conditions. This is just one example of how this unique ingredient can repair, soothe, and restore your complexion without side effects. If you’d like to learn more about this ingenious ingredient and its effects on your skin, read our dedicated blog post.
Now let’s get straight to the point about how long azelaic acid lasts.
Can azelaic acid last long term?
How long you can use azelaic acid depends largely on the product formula you use. That’s because it’s important to understand how product diversity affects how much you can apply to your skin.
When it comes to the science behind azelaic acid, you’ll often find that most of the research has been conducted using prescription formulas. These products usually contain 15-20% azelaic acid, making them very effective and requiring you to use them as directed by your doctor or dermatologist.
As for over-the-counter products, the levels are much lower and can be used effectively in conjunction with other active ingredients you use on a daily basis. You can usually use these products twice a day or for as long as needed. Still, it’s important to consult your doctor, especially if you’re new to azelaic acid, to make sure this acid is right for you and your skin.
When should I stop using azelaic acid?
After consulting your doctor and performing a 24-hour patch test, you can be confident that azelaic acid will not cause skin irritation. However, there are some signs that azelaic acid is not right for you, such as:
Severe itching or stinging
Severe redness
Dryness
Peeling skin
Changes in skin color
Burn or warmth in the skin
Stinging
Difficulty breathing
These symptoms are signs of an allergic reaction and can cause permanent skin damage if you don’t act quickly. If you find yourself experiencing any of the side effects I’ve mentioned, rinse the product off your skin with cool water immediately. Avoid using other strong or irritating ingredients on your skin. Instead, apply a generous amount of hyaluronic acid to your skin to lock in moisture and improve hydration.
If you find yourself experiencing more severe side effects, it’s best to contact your doctor immediately and stop using products rich in azelaic acid until you can speak to a professional.
Is Azelaic Acid Harmful to the Skin?
Yes, it can, but only if you suffer from the allergic reaction I mentioned earlier. Azelaic acid won’t necessarily cause skin damage when used properly. However, you’ll find that when using AHAs in your morning skincare routine, it’s essential to wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
Because azelaic acid exfoliates the skin, you’ll notice that it removes the top layer of dead skin cells and reveals fresh cells underneath. These new skin cells are very sensitive to UV rays. To avoid deeper damage, you’ll need to wear sunscreen to protect the new cells and keep your skin barrier strong and fully functional.
How Long Do Azelaic Acid’s Clearing Effects Last?
You’ll find that the clearing effects on your skin wear off after a month. However, for many people, the skin continues to show signs of clearing for up to 8 weeks. A lot depends on the condition of your skin when you first apply topical azelaic acid and the amount of acid in the formula. If you find that you are still not clearing after 8 weeks, you should consult a dermatologist or trained professional to find a better product or alternative.
If you are wondering what exactly is clearing, this term describes the appearance of your skin after adding a high-performance exfoliant to your skincare routine. Exfoliation goes deep into the pores to help remove excess sebum, bacteria, dirt and other deposits. This “oil” then makes its way to the surface of the skin, often causing breakouts such as blackheads and acne to appear on the surface of the skin. The trick is to continue your daily activities as usual, as this will speed up the clearing process and make the skin look brighter, smoother and healthier immediately.
Can I use azelaic acid for many years?
Evidence shows that it is completely safe to use azelaic acid in your daily life for many years. However, I would like to remind you that our skin changes over time. As we age, the skin often becomes drier, and hormonal changes can also affect the overall health and appearance of the complexion.
Many people like to use skincare products and often mix different ingredients and formulas together. This is what I personally recommend because it allows your skin to get the best results and reap the benefits of powerful active ingredients. Just make sure to follow the instructions and properly incorporate the new ingredient into your daily routine.
Here is more information on how long azelaic acid can be used. If you still have any questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.